Breathtaking El Nido Tours with MAG

I have a quick question: What does the 2012 Bourne Legacy film, The Amazing Race 5 and the French and Swedish versions of Survivor have in common?

Answer: The breathtaking views! Did you know that a lot of those scenes were shot in the stunning El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines? Thanks to MAG Palawan Tours for organising our fascinating El Nido tours for Christmas 2014!

Limestones and Blue Waters

During the fun-filledBottom Fishing with Discover El Nido, I missed a call from the tour coordinator of MAG. El Nido was just so magical I survived the day without checking my phone. We were still debating on who caught the better fish as we reached our resort. MAG was making sure we were well informed that a guide will pick us up at around 8 AM.

English Breakfast at the Accom

Tour A/Tour B are whole day tours. And yes, there are Tours C and D which we skipped. The fee is inclusive of life jackets, licensed English speaking tour guides, motorised boat, eco-tourism fee and buffet lunch and drinks. Kayak lovers can bring their own or rent at one of the stops.

Kayaks – Small Lagoon

We were grouped with foreign tourists – Danish, Indonesian (who spoke fluent Filipino) and Korean. The entire tour bonded us all well. Everyone was just so friendly and happy with our group composition. We conversed as we succumbed to the allure of the islands.

El Nido Tours by MAG – Kayaking at the Small Lagoon

The tour guide asked, “Can everyone swim?” Our tour mates chimed in,”Yes, we are very good swimmers!” We let out a huge smile as I retorted, “That’s great to hear! My partner and I are in safe hands then!” We all laughed. Everyone became extra supportive of us throughout the tour.

El Nido Tours by MAG -Tour Guide

The tour was well arranged with ever-reliable tour guides.

Lunch Prep – Payong-payong Island

Fresh Prawns – Payong-payong Island

Fresh Fish – Payong-payong Island

The food was cooked on the spot. Our guides seem to time it right. Just as we felt our stomach grumbling, the fare was hot and ready. Tour members could dine in huts or on a long table to share. Hot rice, freshly cooked seafood, barbecued pork and fresh fruits…What a feast!

El Nido Tours by MAG – Secret Lagoon

We were docked a little bit far from the entrance to the Secret Lagoon. Christmas is a peak season in Palawan so there were other boats on the same tour. We floated as the guides herded our bodies to the destination. Another option is to, um, swim :).

El Nido Tours by MAG – Pinagbuyutan Island

Tour B – Cudognon Cave for Kids

What really amazed us was the fact that locals were outnumbered by foreign tourists! El Nido is becoming really popular!

Tour B – Snake Island Walking the Sandbar

The Snake Island was another magnificent site to behold. It provides for a vantage point of the long powdery white sandbar and crystal clear waters.

Time to enter the Big Lagoon next. Our captain switched off the motor. Our boat lagged as if steadily luring us to some sort of enchantment.

El Nido Tours by MAG – Big Lagoon

All eyes of all colours roamed and soaked up every enthralling piece of the lagoon’s entirety. The rock formation, the greenery, the calm clear blue waters. The crisp cool wind blew on our faces as we sighted a true nature’s realm. The look on our Danish members’ faces were just worth capturing as we glided our way through the Big Lagoon.

Danish Tourists – Tour A

Lasse and Maria couldn’t help but exclaim, “You guys are lucky to live in this country. It’s just so beautiful!” Lasse added, “Have you ever seen any place more beautiful than this?” I replied, “No. But there’s a lot more I haven’t seen in the country. So far, I can say that El Nido is breathtakingly beautiful.” Then we made a gracious exit through the spectacular karst scenery.

Caves – Tour B

Caves are part of Tour B which could test one’s agility. For a short woman like me, entering the hole was no sweat, hehe. So would slender guys.

El Nido Tours by MAG – Cudugnon Cave

Last stop was the Seven Commandos Beach. Here one can have refreshments while relaxing in the huts or sitting on the sand.

Seven Commando – Hut

Our new found Indonesian friends wanted some halo-halo and coconut. A perfect way to end the exhilarating El Nido tours!

Indonesian Tourists – Tour A

As we left the islands, there was nothing but smiles on our faces. The smiles were not the usual ones, though. These were the type melded with awe, acclaim…wonderment.

El Nido Tours by MAG – 7 Commando

Honestly, I wished I had never left Palawan yet. I wanted to be part of the magical tours over and over again.

MAGPalawan Tours logo

Boats at 7 Commando

MAGPalawan Tours logo

Tour B – Cudognon Cave for Kids

Tour B – Cudugnon Cave

Secret Lagoon

Pinagbuyutan Island

Kayaks – Small Lagoon

MuGGie Travels

Seven Commando – Hut

Kayaking at the Small Lagoon

Danish Tourists – Tour A

Big Lagoon

Fresh Prawns – Payong-payong Island

Fresh Fish – Payong-payong Island

Food Prep – Payong-payong Island

We will be having an exciting giveaway in one of our stories in the El Nido/Puerto Princesa series. So please stay tuned.

Gourmet Getaways’ El Nido and Puerto Princesa tours was provided for by MAG Palawan Tours. The opinions contained in this review are written without bias and in accordance with Gourmet Getaways’ disclosure policy.

WOWZA… Its gorgeous and oh so beautiful. What a fun experience you had, I’m jelly! 🙂 I haven’t been to the Philippines, but a visit sure is on the travel bucket list, especially for the delicious food.

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[…] for the best way to appreciate the seascape, sandbars and other wonders of nature. We shared our breathtaking tour of El Nido where we celebrated Christmas 2014. MAG Palawan Tours is an accredited operator that offers these […]